Clerkships

Honorable Sandra L. Lynch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Membership & Affiliations

Boston Bar Association

Rhode Island Bar Association

Courtney M. Cox

Associate

Courtney Cox, D.Phil., focuses her practice on appeals and intellectual property. Courtney has a wide range of experience—including dispositive motions, trial experience, and appeals—for clients across industries from electronics and biotechnology to finance and fashion. She has also advised on pre-suit responses to demand letters involving both patents and copyright.

Courtney’s pro bono practice has included a case-winning deposition that identified hidden sources of income, briefs to the Supreme Court, and most recently, arguing on behalf of transgender individuals to secure name-change orders in complicated cases of first impression.

Before joining Ropes & Gray, Courtney served as a law clerk for the Hon. Sandra L. Lynch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She graduated with highest honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and was awarded the Edwin F. Mandel Award for her work with unaccompanied minors from China. Courtney holds a doctorate from Oxford, and was a dual major in Engineering Sciences (Electrical) and Ethics, Politics, & Economics at Yale. She is conversant in Mandarin.

Part of a team that drafted an amicus brief on behalf of legal scholars supporting same-sex mother’s parental rights in the Supreme Court case of V.L. v. E.L., (U.S. No. 15-648), resulting in a sharply worded per curiam that granted certiorari and summarily reversed the judgment that had refused to recognize the mother’s rights.

Part of a team that drafted a petition for certiorari on behalf of a defendant who pled guilty to low-level, non-violent bank fraud that carried an advisory sentence of under 5 years, but who was sentenced to 92 years based on a contested finding of murder by the district judge.

Represents long-time U.S. resident in appeal to Ninth Circuit of decision denying re-entry and ordering deportation.

Trial Court

Part of trial team that represented major electronics manufacturer in a six-day trial in the Eastern District of Texas. Responsibilities included arguing in district court, negotiating evidentiary objections, drafting post-trial briefing and motions, and advising on appellate strategy.

Drafted opposition to class certification and motion for summary judgment in false advertising class action brought against the TJX Companies.

Represented biotechnology company in a false advertising dispute between competitors. Responsibilities included drafting pleadings, pre-suit investigation, and managing expedited discovery to defend against a preliminary injunction.

Secured removal of default and settlement as local counsel in insurance dispute for major insurance company. Responsibilities included drafting pleadings and motions, and presenting at court-ordered conferences.

Deposed opposing party in child support dispute to identify undisclosed sources of income, resulting in quick and favorable settlement in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services.

Argued issues of first impression in multiple name-change petitions and related motions on behalf of Rhode Island clients through the firm’s Project Validate, which assists transgender individuals obtain amended state and federal identification documents.

Industries

News

IP litigation partner David Chun (Silicon Valley) and associate Courtney Cox (Boston) co-authored an article that examines willful infringement consequences and best practices after the Halo Electronics ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court ...